Mosman’s Betty Gemmell turns 107 and we are there to celebrate. See the photos!

By JACK KELLY. Images: GRAHAM MONRO from gmphotographics

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Gemmell turned 107 on May 11, making her the oldest person in Mosman and among the eldest in Australia.

“I just paddle, paddle, paddle with the assistance of my carers, most of them are very good ladies,” Betty said.

The long-time lower north shore resident, who is the last of seven siblings, spent the day with her nieces, nephews, friends, and carers, opening letters from residents who sent cards following a Mosman Collective campaign.

Betty has led an eventful life, living through two world wars, witnessing houses change into skyscrapers and horses swapped for cars.

However, the biggest change from her perspective is the advancement of knowledge transferred into machines.

“General knowledge turned into computers. That’s the biggest thing. I think they’re a nuisance,” Ms Gemmell said.

Born in Deniliquin in 1917, Ms Gemmell moved to Sydney at a young age and became the first woman secretary at the Bank of Australasia, which is the ANZ Bank today.

Much to the dismay of management teams at the time, WWII meant women had to take on key career roles in the absence of men fighting overseas.

What was supposed to be a wartime position turned into a full-time career spanning well into her 70th year.

She claims to have worked in every banking department except travel, paving the way for Australian women to join the workforce.

“I was supposed to only be at the bank for the war years but ended up being there for 38 and a half years,” she said.

Although her wartime efforts didn’t involve fighting abroad, she was still prepared for action.

“We had to have a revolver, sitting behind the counter under the bench, just in case.”

Ms Gemmell’s favourite thing about living in Mosman is visiting Balmoral Beach where she used to swim every morning.

Although her swimming and driving days ended about nine years ago, she still visits the beach whenever she can to take in the views.

“I go down to my beautiful beloved Balmoral Beach and just sit there in my car or go for a walk along the promenade with somebody pushing me in a wheelchair.

“I enjoy that so much, to go to Balmoral, I love it.”

It was never her intention to live as long as she has, but Ms Gemmell narrows down her longevity to eating well, keeping active – and enjoying a regular whiskey.

During her time on this globe, she has also collected an abundance of wisdom which she believes is necessary to not only extend your life but enjoy it.

“Be honest with each other, be true to those you love, don’t play around with somebody else’s husband or partner.

“Let there be peace throughout the world and none of this fighting and squabbling, let there be peace. That’s my biggest wish.”